Celebrating Black History
The Story
February is Black History Month. In Canada, it's a time to celebrate the achievements of black Canadians and reflect on their experiences throughout our past. CBC Digital Archives has pulled together a selection of radio and TV clips that honour black history -- some of which exemplify the racism blacks have had to endure and overcome, both in Canada and around the world, while others highlight the remarkable accomplishments of extraordinary people.
Willie O’Ree: Breaking hockey’s colour barrier
Willie O'Ree's accomplishments are celebrated 50 years after he became the first black man to play in the NHL.
Black Loyalist history goes up in flames
The offices of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society are destroyed by a 2006 fire.
Birchtown’s remains
Evidence of the first settlement of free blacks in North America can still be found.
Calvin Ruck and the Construction Battalion
Calvin Ruck campaigned for recognition of the contribution made by the Canadian all-black regiment, the Construction Battalion, in the First…
1993: Nova Scotia elects its first black MLA
Wayne Adams looks back on his historic 1993 political victory.
Civil rights activist Carrie Best
Nova Scotia civil rights activist Carrie Best talks to CBC's Jim Nunn about her own past struggles in fighting racism.
Stan Grizzle and Lloyd Perry honoured for work for black Canadians
The founder of a union for black railway porters and one of Canada's first black lawyers are recognized by the…
1985: Lincoln Alexander becomes Canada’s first black lieutenant-governor
The son of West Indian immigrant parents is sworn in as the Queen's representative in Ontario.
Ontario’s Black History
Prof. Daniel Hill works to bring attention to black history and to share the stories of blacks in Ontario.
Buxton’s black scholars
The school at the Buxton settlement in Ontario produced many of the notable figures of Canada's black history.
Black refugees in Ontario
Prof. Daniel Hill takes listeners back to the arrival of a wave of black refugees on the Underground Railway.
The Underground Railroad
Historian Daniel Hill explains how passage on Underground Railroad brought thousands of blacks seeking freedom to Canada.
Canadian track legend Harry Jerome
A profile of the career of sprinter Harry Jerome.
On Emancipation Day, black Canadians describe their experiences
As Windsor, Ont. celebrates Emancipation Day in August 1961, black residents of Ontario and Nova Scotia discuss their experiences with…
Phyllis Marshall on prejudice
Canadian singer Phyllis Marshall talks to CBC Radio's Assignment about prejudice, ambition, and making a contribution to society.
CBC visits Montreal’s Negro Community Centre
Black and white Montrealers all benefit from the programs at the centre in 1957.
Commemorating the first black VC recipient
A monument honouring William Hall, the first black man to ever win a Victoria Cross, is unveiled in Nova Scotia…